Big Sean, Kim Kardashian Support Miley Cyrus On Twitter
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Last week at the VMAs, Miley Cyrus sent up 22-year-old Jesse Helt to accept her award for Best MTV Video Music Award for "Wrecking Ball." On stage, Helt spoke to the crowd about life in and out of shelters and how it is important to help support the homeless.
"I've survived in shelters all over," he said at Sunday's award show, according to PEOPLE. "Though I may have been invisible to you in the street, I have the same dreams as many of you."
The media, however, recently leaked that Helt is wanted in Oregon on a probation violation, and has other misdemeanors against him. PEOPLE said according to court documents, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Helt in November 2011 after he violated his probation for a third time, and if he violated it again, he would face a six-month jail sentence.
The probation stems from an event in 2010 when he and a friend tried to rob the home of a man who sold him bad marijuana.
Furious, Miley took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the media's coverage of Helt, and said she was disappointed in its lack of judgment in covering the real issue at hand.
On Tuesday night, Miley tweeted:
The media never fails to disappoint. You've chosen to go after Jesse instead of covering the issue of youth homelessness :(
-- Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) August 26, 2014
While they obsesses over one homeless mans legal issue lets help the other 1.6 million homeless youth http://t.co/VE6P9yfAVX
-- Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) August 26, 2014
Miley's tweets received millions of shares and support from fans, sharing their anger in the media's coverage of Helt.
In her quest to spread awareness and curb youth homelessness, Miley is working with "My Friend's Place", an organization that aims to assist and inspire young homeless individuals to build self-sufficient lives. On her campaign website, Miley encourages fans to raise funds and spread the word, and announces that for every $5 donation, contributors will be entered to win a trip for two to Rio de Janeiro on Sept.
28. There, winners will get to hang out backstage with Miley and get the full VIP Bangerz Tour experience.
"This campaign is about helping homeless youth have opportunity to find their inner power and potential - no matter what their circumstances," Miley said on her campaign website.
Many other celebrities, such as Big Sean, Lil Kim, Madonna, and Kim Kardashian retweeted Miley's tweets and are supporting her campaign:
Help support this great cause! Luv to my friend @MileyCyrus! #myfriendsplace ---> http://t.co/UKuH38bocS
-- Big Sean (@BigSean) August 25, 2014
You heard it! Now do it!!!! check out the campaign for My Friend?s Place: http://t.co/0w2QhSxw8g http://t.co/5pqQDbw8rU
-- Madonna (@Madonna) August 27, 2014
Join the fight to end youth homelessness with @MileyCyrus - check out her
campaign for My Friend?s Place: http://t.co/Jrp0cY2gSF
-- Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) August 27, 2014
Please join me in donating to My Friend's Place through @mileycyrus' Facebook page: http://t.co/9hIbubf8tx http://t.co/0np4jqRtQm
-- Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) August 27, 2014
In response to the accusations about Helt, Cyrus said their cause should not be cast aside because of Helt's actions.
"People who are homeless have lived very hard lives. Jesse included," she said.
"I hope that this can be the start of a national conversation about youth homelessness and how to end it. Does looking down upon the homeless help people excuse their inaction?"
Helt's mother, Linda, criticized people for "twisting things" and commended Cyrus's campaign.
"They want people to send in even just $5 to help them get off the street, not aid their behavior," she said to PEOPLE. "Jesse and Miley want to help and have a sincere desire to get out and do something and turn around and help others."
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